Welcome to: Whitaker Island, a private island off the coast of Washington state and an ideal destination for those wanting to leave their pasts behind.

Where... recent arrival Tessa Jenkins and handyman Hansen Rye have just witnessed a man emerge from the ocean and vanish into the nearby woods. When the man turns up dead, Hansen becomes the prime suspect.

For fans of: Christina Dodd's Virtue Falls, another compelling romantic suspense series set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest where everyone has a secret.

What it's about: Fletcher "Grey" Pryde, Duke of Greycourt, has promised to help prepare the Honourable Beatrice Wolfe for her debut, despite suspecting that her brother murdered his stepfather.

Series alert: Project Duchess kicks off the Duke Dynasty series, about a trio of half-brothers, all heirs to dukedoms.

You might also like: Eloisa James' Desperate Duchesses series, another Georgian romance series with a large supporting cast of friends and family members that help the leads find their happily-ever-afters.

What it's about: Sent to prison for a crime she didn't commit, Evangeline Austen, now out on parole, returns to her hometown to clear her name. But finding the real culprit will require her to work with local cop Chris Chambers, her arresting officer.

Why you might like it: This stand-alone novel stars a sympathetic heroine who finds unexpected love while working to rebuild her life.

Introducing:Felicity Faircloth, who impulsively announces her engagement to the reclusive Duke of Marwick, whom she's never met; and "Devil," the Covent Garden crime lord who offers to help her woo and win the duke -- for a price.

Crossover alert: Felicity first appeared in The Day of the Duchess, one of four young ladies competing for the hand of another duke.

Series alert:Wicked and the Wallflower kicks off the Bareknuckle Bastards series; book 2, Brazen and the Beast, is now available.

What happens: Exiled to the wilderness (ok, the Hudson Valley) to oversee her client's daughter's court-ordered community service, Mia encounters hot, brooding Ethan, who's currently helping out at his family's bed-and-breakfast.

Why you might like it: This opening installment of the Stay series pairs a city girl and a country boy whose worlds collide in sizzling fashion.

What happens: Following their joint rescue of three-legged dog Lollipop, tattoo artist Sadie Lane and buttoned-up businessman Caleb Parker decide to co-parent the pup...and fall in love in the process.

Why you might like it: This heartwarming 7th Heartbreaker Bay novel returns to the close-knit community of San Francisco's Cow Hollow neighborhood for this upbeat story starring a pair of likable leads.